Jeffries Unveils 100-Day “Affordable America” Push Ahead of Midterms

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) opened a 100-day sprint to the 2024 midterm elections with a rally in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. He pledged that, if Democrats regain control of the House, they will lower grocery, gas and housing costs, expand affordable health care, protect Social Security and Medicare, and end the nearly five-month war in Iran. Jeffries framed the agenda as a direct response to “the crooks” he says are “screwing over” Americans. “In 100 days, you can vote for an America that is affordable and lower the cost of groceries, gas, and housing. In 100 days, you can vote for an America where affordable healthcare is available to every single citizen,” — Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries “We are going to hold the crooks accountable,” — Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries

The Hill

The race hinges on a handful of competitive districts, with Pennsylvania’s 7th District highlighted as a key battleground. The Cook Political Report rates incumbent GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.) as a “toss-up” against Democratic challenger Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and union leader. Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) assigns the minority party a 60 % chance of flipping the House, while giving Republicans a 6-in-10 chance of retaining the Senate. Democrats need to net three House seats to claim a majority, which would make Jeffries the first Black Speaker in U.S. history.

The Hill

• 60 % chance (DDHQ) that Democrats take the House.

Associated Press

• 6 in 10 chance (DDHQ) that Republicans keep the Senate.

The Hill

• Fewer than 20 House seats are considered genuine toss-ups nationwide.

Associated Press

• The Cook Political Report’s “toss-up” rating for Mackenzie’s seat reflects a margin of fewer than 5,000 votes in the 2022 race.

The Hill

“We are going to hold the crooks accountable,” — Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro echoed the sentiment, calling the state “the swingiest swing state” and pledging to “We’re fighting right now in Congress over whether we’re going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic or we’re going to trade that in, dismantle the foundations and go down this dark road of death to communism,” — Speaker Mike Johnson

The Hill

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) warned that Democrats aim to push the country toward “communism,” framing the upcoming battles as a fight over the nation’s constitutional foundations. “We’re fighting right now in Congress over whether we’re going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic or we’re going to trade that in, dismantle the foundations and go down this dark road of death to communism,” — Speaker Mike Johnson

The Hill

• “In 100 days, you can vote for an America that is affordable and lower the cost of groceries, gas, and housing. In 100 days, you can vote for an America where affordable healthcare is available to every single citizen,” — Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries

The Hill

• “We’re fighting right now in Congress over whether we’re going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic or we’re going to trade that in, dismantle the foundations and go down this dark road of death to communism,” — Speaker Mike Johnson

The Hill

• “We are going to hold the crooks accountable,” — Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries

The Hill